Air quality and industrial pollution prevention and control

STELLA's experience in air quality and industrial pollution prevention and control ranges from environmental assessment of health effects from air pollution to environmental audits of industrial pollution. We have also developed national pollution prevention strategies and programmes and implemented institutional strengthening and capacity building projects.

Corporate experience

STELLA and AGRECO are assisting the European Commission in the evaluation of LIFE+ proposals submitted under the 2012 and 2013 calls for proposals. LIFE+, the Financial Instrument for the Environment, finances pilot or demonstration projects with European-added value to support the implementation of EU environmental policy. The programme provides two kinds of co-financing: i) LIFE+ Action grants covering three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance, and LIFE+ Information and Communication; and ii) LIFE+ operating grants for environmental NGOs. STELLA and AGRECO experts are currently evaluating more than 1,000 proposals submitted under the 2012 calls for proposals for LIFE+ action grants and NGO operating grants.

STELLA has successfully carried out a Scoping study of selected environmental policies to help Ogilvy develop a communication strategy and propose an implementation plan to promote the social and economic benefits of environmental policy making at the EU level. The policies analysed included: air quality, waste management, water, biodiversity and nature conservation, and resource efficiency. The Study presented the background and state of play of EU environmental policies, the main stakeholders, including opponents, supporters, and influencers of EU environmental policy making and the roles of these stakeholders. The Study also analysed the barriers to support and adopt EU environmental policies, and the drivers for supporting or opposing EU environmental policies. Finally, the Study also assessed the socio-economic benefits of EU environmental policies and the EU public opinion of EU environmental policies. Ogilvy has used this Study to develop a communication strategy for the European CommissionÃ¢Â€Â™s DG Environment.

STELLA is evaluating the economic and environmental benefits and implications deriving from the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countriesÃ¢Â€Â™ convergence with the EU environmental acquis. The six EaP countries are: Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. This is an unusual study: typically, benefit studies estimate the benefits for a country or a region of improving the environment situation in that same country or region. In this study, the goal is to estimate the benefits that the EU would derive from environmental improvements in the six neighbouring EaP countries. The potential environmental and health benefits - as well as the potential social and economic benefits for the EU - are quantified using a set of indicators in the following areas: water resources; marine areas; air quality; biodiversity resources; waste management; and economy and enterprises.

Experience of STELLA staff

Country : MoroccoClient : US Agency for International Development (USAID)

For the US Agency for International Development's Project in Development and Environment (PRIDE), STELLA staff evaluated strategy options for pollution prevention by the agro-processing industry in Morocco (sugar plants, olive oil mills, and canneries). STELLA staff reviewed data on pollution generated by agro-processing plants, previous pollution prevention efforts or efforts currently underway, and the institutional and legal framework for pollution abatement efforts. STELLA staff analysed these data and conducted environmental audits of one sugar plant and one olive oil mill to estimate the potential for pollution prevention in these industrial sectors. Drawing on the US experience in this area, STELLA staff suggested a series of measures to speed up the process of pollution prevention in the agro-processing industry in Morocco. These measures include economic and financial actions (increased water prices, investment incentives), awareness activities (pollution prevention audits), and training.

For MoroccoÃ¢Â€Â™s Ministry of the Environment (MoE), STELLA staff evaluated industrial pollution in the Mohammedia-Casablanca region. The study was financed by a grant from the World Bank and the European Investment Bank through the Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Programme (METAP). STELLA staff conducted pollution prevention and control audits of the 10 most polluting industrial facilities in the region (petrochemical, fertiliser, detergent, oil refining, thermal power, food processing, tannery, aluminium, electroplating). These audits have allowed MoE to launch partnerships with the industry representatives of Mohammedia-Casablanca. They have also allowed Morocco to implement the strategy of environmental protection and sustainable development that MoE had just prepared. To conduct these audits, STELLA staff used a methodology consisting of three steps and 19 activities. Key activities included a pollution prevention workshop with about 20 facility decision-makers and plant managers, the audit including sampling and the evaluation of control pollution options and clean technologies, and the preparation of an action plan to improve environmental quality in the Mohammedia-Casablanca region. After the audits, STELLA staff prepared action plans for each of the 10 facilities. Finally, STELLA staff organised a public meeting to sign the action plans

Country : Morocco and TunisiaClient : US Agency for International Development (USAID)

For the USAID Pollution Prevention Project (EP3), STELLA staff designed and prepared the script in French and English for a slide show on pollution prevention, with taped narration and music. The 100-slide, stand-alone slide show was presented in Tunisia and Morocco, where it was received very favourably. The USAID also produced it in Spanish and on videotape for distribution worldwide. After an introduction stressing the need to act now for the sake of current and future generations, the slide show explains the concept of pollution prevention and provides illustrative case examples from the cement, printing, painting, tanning, electronics, and detergent industries. Reflecting on the perceived and real reasons why pollution prevention does not happen more often, the slide show suggests ways for promoting pollution prevention: establishing pollution prevention programmes; setting clear, precise goals, recognising and rewarding people and institutions that prevent pollution; undertaking pollution prevention audits; providing on-the-job training for professionals; and educating students and children about the importance of the environment.

STELLA staff managed risks assessments of five US medical waste incinerators (Massachusetts General Hospital, Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia, University of Michigan, Stony Brook Medical Centre, and Saint Joseph Hospital in New York). To evaluate the highest concentrations of pollutants, STELLA staff estimated emissions of suspended particulate matter, SO2, CO, NOX, HCl, heavy metals, and dioxins, and applied the ISCLT, ISCST, and PTPLU air dispersion models. Using dose-response relationships, STELLA staff evaluated the risks resulting from these concentrations (to the Most Exposed Individual and to the population living next to the incinerator).

For the World Bank, STELLA staff participated in a mission to evaluate health effects from air pollution (lead and particulate) on the urban population of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor, and Perak). Using data on ambient concentrations of lead and particulate in these four cities and dose-response relationships developed in the United States, STELLA staff estimated the magnitude of several adverse health outcomes including: mortality, respiratory hospital admissions, emergency room visits, restricted activity days for adults, lower respiratory illness for children, asthma attacks, and chronic disease. STELLA staff evaluated the economic value associated with these health effects and their impact on Gross National Product (GNP). STELLA staff also estimated health and economic benefits that would result from reducing ambient concentrations of lead and particulate to World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

For the World Bank, STELLA staff completed a study to initiate an Industrial Pollution Prevention programme in Vietnam. STELLA staff visited four industrial plants (two paper mills, a caustic soda plant, and a plywood plant) located in the two largest industrial zones in Vietnam: Viet Tri and Bien Hoa. STELLA staff also outlined a national action plan recommending both the creation of a Task Force led by the State Planning Committee and the Ministry of Environment and a training programme to initiate the managers of this entity to pollution prevention principles and techniques. For this study, STELLA staff reviewed the environmental standards promulgated by the Ministry of Environment in March 1995. These standards adapted from the Singapore standards distinguish between new and existing facilities.